Page 74 - Virtual Vascular Vol 9
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Tourniquet Test for Varicose Veins Doppler Ultrasound for Varicose Veins
Tourniquet Test.mp4 VV doppler. mp4
The tourniquet test for varicose veins is a frequent problem for students and teachers A Hand-held doppler can be used to demonstrate SF incompetence. (This is the dop-
alike. We show a video of this test using one tourniquet below the sapheno-femoral pler model used in clinical exams). Turn on the doppler. Locate the sapheno-femo-
junction in a patient with SF junction and greater saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence. ral junction (2cm below and lateral to the pubic tubercle - not on the femoral pulse).
Place the doppler on the SF junction with some ultrasound gel.
The GSV varicosity is obvious with the patient standing. With the patient supine the
leg is elevated and the vein emptied by gravity. A venous tourniquet is placed just A low pitch venous signal can be heard. Augment the signal by manually compressing
below the SF junction with the help of a pair of artery forceps. The patient then stands the calf. Then release the compression. If the SF junction is incompetent a bi-direc-
up and the GSV was inspected. In this case it was well “controlled” by the tourniquet. tional signal will be heard (i.e. a reflux signal is present on releasing the hand).
The tourniquet is then removed to show the veins filling from above due to the SF in-
competence.
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